New Update to DOBOT Magician, Comparison Between V1 and V2

NEWS2018-09-05

Lately DOBOT Magician has been upgraded to V2. Wondering the differences between Magician V1 and Magician V2? Here is a comparison of the old and new version, thoroughly describing the differences in appearance, I/O interfaces, and sensors. Feel free to check this article any time you have doubts concerning the different versions of DOBOT Magician.

1. Notes

How to differentiate Dobot Magician V1 and V2: click “?” on DobotStudio interface and check the hardware version.

How to differentiate different versions of linear rail kit, photoelectric sensor and color sensor: version can only be identified by the physical label. If the label shows V2, it means the version is V2. While no physical label on the object means V1 version.

If the rail kit version is V2, you need to select “New Rail” in “Settings > General” of DobotStudio interface when controlling the robot arm through DobotStudio. If the version of the rail kit is V1, leave this option unchecked.

Photoelectric sensors and color sensors can be connected to multiple ports when connecting to the robot arm. Please make sure that the ports set by Blockly or API are in one-to-one correspondence with the hardware connection port.

2. Description of AppearanceDifferences

2.1 Similar Appearances of V1 and V2

The appearances and structural designs of V1 and V2 are similar, as shown below:

Figure 2.1 - Magician V1 Rendering Image

Figure 2.2 - Magician V2 Rendering Image

2.2 Color Change of V2 Ports

V1's ports on the base and forearm are all white, while the color of the V2’s ports has been changed to make it more convenient for users to distinguish and prevent incorrect operations. The universal port GP is green, and the 12V switch SW is red. The stepper port is yellow, and the 3D printing thermistor is blue, as shown below:

2.3 Control Axis Change of V2

V1 version’s rear arm and the forearm are connected by a connecting rod. The V2 version is optimized for structural design and is changed to a bearing plus a connecting rod, which improves the accuracy and consistency of the trajectory of the robot arm, including laser engraving, writing, and drawing.

3. Difference Description

3.1 Difference Between V1 and V2

3.1.1 MultiplexedI/O Interface

The total number of I/O interfaces of Dobot Magician V1 and V2 stays the same, while the functions of specific multiplexed I/O interfaces differ in different versions. Detailed changes for multiplexed I/O Interface on the forearm, base peripheral and UART are shown in the below pictures, respectively. Blue means the function is both supported by V1 and V2; gray means it is only supported by V1. No caption means no change for the multiplexed function.

Figure 3.1 - Peripheral interface in the Forearm

Figure 3.2 - Base peripheral interface

Figure 3.3 - Base UART interface

3.1.2 OtherDifferences

Table 3.1 - Magician V1 vs V2

V2 Version

V1 Version

Change

Rail return switch connects GP2

Rail return switch connects 10PIN port

Upgraded the hardware and limited the usages of some ports to protect the device.

Automatic leveling tool connects GP4

Automatic leveling tool connects GP3

USB to serial port driver selects CP210x

USB to serial port driver selects CH340

Replaced the serial port chip

Ports have different colors based on their type

All ports have the same color

Easier to distinguish interfaces and prevent incorrect connection

3.2 Photoelectric Sensor Comparison

Table 3.2 - Photoelectric Sensor V1 vs V2

Photoelectric Sensor V2

Photoelectric Sensor V1

Change

Connects GP1, GP4, GP5

Connects GP1, GP2, GP4, GP5

The 4PIN port function was modified

3.3 Color Sensor Comparison

Although the V1 and V2 versions of the color sensor connection interface have not changed, the way the color sensor recognizes the color changes.

Table 3.3 - Color Sensor V1 vs V2

Color Sensor V2

Color Sensor V1

Change

The color sensor identifies color via communication interface

The color sensor identifies color via I/O interface

The 4PIN port function was modified

3.4 Rail Kit Comparison

Table 3.4 - Rail Kit V1 vs V2

Rail V2

Rail V1

Changes

Rail return switch connects 4PIN port

Rail return switch connects 10PIN port

Upgraded the hardware and limited the usages of some ports to protect the device.

4. Compatibility

4.1 Connection

Dobot Magician supports different versions of peripherals (slide kit, photoelectric sensor, color sensor). When the Dobot Magician version is different from the peripheral version, the connection descriptions are as follows.

4.1.1 Rail Return Switch

Table 4.1 - Compatibility Description

Magician Version

Rail Version

Rail Return Switch Connecting Port

V2

V1

GP2 (a patch cord is needed for connecting)

V1

V2

GP2

When the user controls the rail via Blockly, the corresponding version of rail should be selected.

If the rail kit version is V2, you need to select “New Rail” in “Settings > General” of DobotStudio interface when controlling the robot arm through DobotStudio.

4.1.2 Photoelectric Sensor

Table 4.2 - Compatibility Description

Magician Version

Photoelectric Sensor Version

Photoelectric Sensor Connecting Port

V2

V1

Connect GP1/GP4/GP5 via wire jumper

V1

V2

GP1/GP2/GP4/GP5

Jumper method: Take the GP1 interface as an example. The photoelectric sensor is triggered by I/O 11 INPUT. For the V2 version of the robot arm, the I/O multiplexing function changes. I/O 11 has no INPUT function, but I/O 12 supports INPUT, so the photoelectric sensor should be connected to the I/O 11 pin to manually access the I/O 12.

When the user sets the photoelectric sensor interface through Blockly, you need to select the version corresponding to the photoelectric sensor and select the appropriate connection port.

4.1.3 Color Sensor

Table 4.3 - Compatibility Description

Magician Version

Color Sensor Version

Color Sensor Connecting Port

V2

V1

GP2

V1

V2

GP1/GP2/GP4/GP5

When the user sets the photoelectric sensor interface through Blockly, you need to select the version corresponding to the color sensor and select the appropriate connection port.

4.2 API Changes

Photoelectric sensors, color sensors, and rail kits come in different versions. In order to enable the robot arm to support different versions of the peripherals, the corresponding API interface has also changed, the specific interface is as follows.